National

Interior Department threatens lawmakers who complain about moving land management HQ. “A top official at the US Department of the Interior has warned that the department may rethink putting government employees in the states of lawmakers who oppose the relocation of the Bureau of Land Management. Joseph Balash, assistant secretary for Land and Minerals Management, sent letters Wednesday to New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall and Rep. Betty McCollum, both Democrats, pushing back on criticism of the move.” [CNN, 8/29/19 (=)]

2 more Zinke appointees head for the exit. “Several impending Interior Department departures will mark the continued thinning out of the political appointees who arrived under former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.Todd Wynn is leaving his post tomorrow as director of Interior's Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, creating an opening in a politically sensitive liaison position.” [E&E News, 8/29/19 (=)]

Ousted BLM top cop files discrimination complaint. “William Woody, the Bureau of Land Management's former top law enforcement official, has filed an age discrimination and disability complaint against the Interior Department more than two months after he was dramatically escorted out of the Interior Department's headquarters and placed on administrative leave under still-mysterious circumstances.” [E&E News, 8/29/19 (=)]

Navajo Nation vows no retreat opposing Trump on Bears Ears. “Navajo Nation leaders are pushing back against Utah Gov. Gary Herbert's assertions that tribal officials want a "compromise" on the future of the Bears Ears National Monument. Navajo President Jonathan Nez said the tribe remains strongly opposed to Trump administration cuts to the southeast Utah monument.” [E&E News, 8/29/19 (=]+)]

Judge: Fast-tracking new Chaco suit is 'totally unrealistic’ “A federal judge said he is in no rush to halt new oil and gas drilling near New Mexico's prized Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Chief Judge William Johnson for the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico smacked down environmental and tribal groups' request for a temporary restraining order that would prevent the Bureau of Land Management from moving forward on about 255 recent drilling permits near the park (Energywire, Aug. 2).” [E&E News, 8/29/19 (=)]

State and Local

NPS signs off on plan for more cell towers at Grand Teton. “In one of its largest digital expansions, the National Park Service has advanced a controversial plan to build nine new cell towers at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. The plan also includes the installation of 63 miles of new high-speed fiber-optic cable near the park's main roads.” [E&E News, 8/29/19 (=)]

Op-Ed, Editorial, & Analysis

Op-Ed: Fully funding conservation fund helps SC parks, outdoorspeople. “This is why we must have full funding for LWCF, and why I urge our entire Congressional delegation to support and fight for full funding through H.R. 3195 and S. 1081. The prosperity of our communities depends on a diversification of economic drivers, and outdoor recreation, and by extension the Land and Water Conservation Fund, is essential to that future. I hope our elected officials will support fully funding this win-win program, which has so much to offer South Carolina.” [State, 8/29/19 (+)]

Op-Ed: Bipartisan support of federal act would enhance public lands. “Thanks to Representative Gosar and his colleagues in Congress for their long advocacy in support of the Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act. It gives me hope that Congress, our nation’s “board of directors,” is fulfilling its mission to grow our country’s economy, protect our security and safeguard our environment for future generations of Americans.” [Arizona Capitol Times, 8/29/19 (+)]